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Cisco News - Cisco's New API is Geared to Take on Fraudsters

Call fraud is a huge problem worldwide; with some estimates suggesting as much as $40 billion a year is lost to fraud. So it's not a surprise to see Cisco (News - Alert) create at least some solution to this multi-billion dollar problem in the form of a new API, geared to take on the fraudsters by providing better information about calls.

Cisco brought its new API to the Interop (News - Alert) 2012 event, and showed just what it could do. Dubbed the Cisco UC Gateway (News - Alert) Services API, it's a programming interface based primarily on the web that gives access to information over a network for customers and developers alike. This information in turn can be used to interdict potential security breaches like social engineering or identity theft, that require the target of such fraud to be an active but unwitting part of the attempt. The API also allows for other actions to take place like terminating the call, redirecting it, or even recording it for potential future evidence. This new API couples to the earlier SecureLogix application, currently hosted on Cisco's UCS Express server blade to provide security for both voice and data services.

Of particular note here is that Cisco's new API isn't just a security function, either; as the API provides a lot of information about a caller coming in, it can be used for checking compliance with regulations, as well as collecting information about call duration and similar details for efficiency checking, quality monitoring, and other similar purposes.

Security in networking is always important, and seeing Cisco bring out a new security tool is usually a welcome sight, especially for those with a more personal connection with security. But a security tool that can also serve non-security purposes is an especially noteworthy creation, as it allows for multiple uses from the same tool. Usually when one tool has multiple uses, it means less training, greater efficiencies, and thus, lowered costs. In this business environment especially, any time costs can be lowered without appreciable impact on business performance, it's a measure welcomed with arms wide open.

Both Cisco's new API and the SecureLogix application are currently available on UCS Express right now, for those who want to put a little extra punch in their security profiles, as well as those who want to see some extra value in their security systems.